One of the worst seasons in Alberta Junior Hockey League history is winding down for the St. Albert Steel.
The last-place Steel (7-44-3) have five games remaining after hosting the AJHL champion Spruce Grove Saints (43-5-7) Friday. The score was unavailable at press time.
"We obviously don't have a playoff spot but we're still going to play for our pride and play for the Steel," said defenceman Matt Abt.
Going into the game the Steel only had four wins at Performance Arena.
"We need a win at home for sure. That would definitely be good," Abt said.
Sunday's game against the Bonnyville Pontiacs (34-15-6) starts at 2 p.m. in St. Albert.
Monday the Steel visit the Lloydminster Bobcats (35-12-8) for a game rescheduled from Tuesday, when the Steel's bus experienced engine trouble outside of Sherwood Park and was unable to make it to the Border City.
The Steel's last home game is Tuesday against the Drayton Valley Thunder (25-25-5) at 7 p.m.
The season ends next weekend in Grande Prairie with two games against the Storm (20-32-4).
"We've got to treat these games like all the rest of them and just keep battling," Abt said. "Once you're on the ice it's just like any other game. You're going out there to win and you mean business."
The players also have to impress the coaching staff if they hope to get invited back next season.
"There are no guarantees so that's kind of the motivation to keep it on the gas and keep going," Abt said.
Last weekend the Steel extended their winless steak to 11 games in a 9-3 loss in Bonnyville. The Steel were outshot 16-5 in the first period and 47-18 overall. They gave up three goals in the opening nine minutes and trailed 4-1 after the first and 8-3 after the second.
The loss was the 21st in the last 22 games.
The Steel dropped out of playoff contention after head coach, general manager and co-owner Greg Parks traded away in early December all but one of their 20-year-olds for younger players, prospects and future considerations.
Abt, 18, is one of five returning players left on the team. The only 20-year-old is netminder Rhys Hadfield (3-24-1, 4.98 GAA)
"The big thing now is everyone is gaining experience and growing as a player in the AJHL," said Abt.
The six-foot-three Leduc product is the Steel's third-highest scoring defenceman with one goal and eight assists in 49 games after registering three points in 37 games in his AJHL debut last season.
"I've had a pretty good season overall. I've definitely had a lot more ice time and I feel I've taken advantage of it. I've been seeing the ice a bit better and I'm gaining more experience," said the Steel's penalty-minute leader with 133. "I'm definitely going to be working on stuff this summer. I want to get bigger and stronger and get ready for next season."
Stay or go?
Whether the Steel remains in St. Albert is unclear. The team and the City of St. Albert are at loggerheads over a new lease agreement at Servus Credit Union Place. The deadline for the team to renew its contract is Feb. 28. The lease expires Aug. 31.
A stalemate in negotiations with the city over ice times and rates, sponsorship and advertising agreements, and repayment of dressing room costs has increased speculation the Steel will relocate.
The Steel have lost money since the Fort Saskatchewan Traders relocated to St. Albert in 2007 and have struggled attracting fans to their home games.
Leduc or Whitecourt are the rumoured destinations for the Steel.
"It would be cool if the team was in Leduc. I would love that," Abt said. "If it were to stay in St. Albert I would be happy, too. If it went to Whitecourt that would be a pretty cool experience to live up there for the hockey season. It would be something new for me because I've never really moved far away from home."
